LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (ACH) - Mary and Ross Whipple recently donated $1.5 million to Arkansas Children's Hospital to establish the Ross and Mary Whipple Family Distinguished Research Scientist Endowed Chair in honor of Dr. Richard F. Jacobs. This is the first distinguished research scientist endowed chair at Arkansas Children's Hospital Research Institute (ACHRI).
The gift is matched by the Arkansas Children's Hospital Research Institute Board, bringing the total endowment for the Distinguished Research Scientist to $3 million. This endowed chair is designed to support leading pediatric research within one or more focus areas – hematology/oncology, cardiology, endocrinology, gastroenterology, immunology, infectious diseases, neonatology, nephrology, neurology and neurosurgery, orthopedics, pulmonology and urology.
This gift will provide dependable and sustained support to yield results that will transform health care for children. This level of support is vitally important, as pediatric research dollars are limited and competition is fierce.
Ross Whipple, Managing General Partner of Horizon Capital Partners and Former Chairman and CEO of Summit Bank and Treasurer of the ACHRI Board, and his wife of nearly 40 years, Mary, wanted to make a gift to Arkansas Children's Hospital that would have a lasting impact on the health and wellness of children.
"Research is very important to improving children's health and care," says Ross Whipple. "We wanted to recognize Dr. Jacobs and his dedication to research over the past three decades at Arkansas Children's Hospital, so we are dedicating money for research and finding cures for children."
The Whipple family, which includes daughters Mary Elizabeth Eldridge, Margaret Doose and Emily Whipple, knows first-hand the outstanding care, love and hope families experience at Arkansas Children's Hospital. Margaret was once a patient. She is now a physician, finishing her residency in Internal medicine and pediatrics in Minnesota. The Whipple family cites Margaret's experience at ACH as a key factor in her decision to become a physician.
"We know so many families who have needed ACH at one time or another. We have always had a special place in our hearts for ACH," says Mary Whipple. "The physician who holds this endowed chair will have a tremendous impact on the lives of children in Arkansas and beyond. We're pleased to be able to ensure the future success of the ACH Research Institute with this gift."
(Source: Arkansas Children's Hospital)
